RUN DOWN BY MOTOR-CAR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 287, 4 September 1928, Page 18

RUN DOWN BY MOTOR-CAR

TAXI-DRIVER’S ACQUITTAL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Hamilton, September 3. As an outcome of the death of John O’Connor on the Whakarewarewa Road, near Rotorua, on the evening of June 29, Arthur Duncan, a taxi-driver, of Rotorua, was charged in the Supreme Court at Hamilton to-day with driving negligently and causing O’Connor’s death. His Honour Mr. Justice Blair presided. The tragedy occurred about 6 p.m., and O'Connor was a married man with a family. He was employed, as a gardener at King George’s Hospital, and was riding home on a bicycle when he was run down by a car and killed. Duncan at first denied, but afterwards admitted to the police, that his car killed O’Connor. Finding the victim dead, Duncan became frightened and drove away. After hearing evidence for the prosecution to-day the jury intimated that they did not desire to hear further evidence, and that they were satisfied accused was not guilty of negligent driving. The jury added a rider that accused’s action in leaving the scene was very reprehensible. Mr. Justice Blair said that the act of leaving the scene in such circumstances was an offence under the new regulations, and Duncan would probably be dealt with accordingly.